By John
Harris
-
2007 Preseason Lookaheads - WAC
Boise State
– In a nail-biter between the Bronco offense and the defense, it was a
four-yard reception on fourth and four that sealed the 27-26 win for the
offense. A defensive stop would’ve won the game for the Broncos, but
quarterback Mike Coughlin hit Sherm Blaser for the first down to keep
the defense off the board. The battle for the starting quarterback
position remained unsettled as the quarterbacks combined to complete
only 19-of-40 passes during the scrimmage.
Idaho –
In Robb Akey’s debut as Vandal head coach, the Silver and Gold game had
good and bad on both sides of the ball. Akey’s first task will be
finding an adequate signal caller from the trio of Nathan Enderle, Luke
Tracy and Brian Nooy. Enderle threw two picks in the game, while Tracy
and Nooy completed eight of 12 throws for 159 yards passing.
New Mexico State
– With no passes thrown by record setting quarterback Chase Holbrook,
it’s not surprising that the defense dominated the offense in Crimson
Bowl III winning 70-17. The defensive unit that struggled much of last
season registered ten sacks and three picks against Hal Mumme’s Air Raid
offense.
Utah State
– The Aggie defense dominated much of the final scrimmage of spring
practice, as it kept the Aggie ‘O’ off the scoreboard. Until the red
zone portion of the scrimmage commenced. Then, three different Aggie
quarterbacks led drives into the end zone, as the offense scored four
straight times on the Aggie ‘D’ from inside the red zone.
San Jose State
– The 2006 season was highlighted by solid play from the offense, but if
the annual spring game is any indication, the defense will get much of
the publicity entering the 2007 season. The talented San Jose State
secondary picked off SJSU quarterbacks three times to lead the defense
to a 36-22 victory. The three interceptions accounted for 21 points in
the modified offense-defense scoring system.
Hawaii
– Guess what the Warriors did during their scrimmage? How about throw
the football? The potent offense from 2006, led by Heisman candidate
Colt Brennan, was back in front of 3,200 fans, getting its work done
during the Ohana Festival that concluded Hawaii’s spring practice for
2007. Brennan got his usual amount of practice reps, then signed
autographs all night long for the adoring public.
Nevada
– No Jeff Rowe? No problem. Sophomore signal caller Nick Graziano
completed ten-of-13 passes for 150 yards, in addition to 24 rushing
yards and two rushing touchdowns to lead Chris Ault’s Pistol offense.
The annual Silver and Blue spring scrimmage turned into a showcase for
Graziano and the offense, as that unit recorded four scores on 12
drives.
Fresno State
– The closing scrimmage of the spring was a strong step in the positive
direction for Pat Hill’s Bulldogs after a rough 2006 season. With
Dwayne Wright on his way to Buffalo, the quarterbacks, Tom Brandstater
and Ryan Colburn, had to step up and take control of the offense.
Luckily for Bulldog players and supporters, they did, each throwing for
more than 100 yards during the scrimmage.
Louisiana Tech
– Down 24-14 in the annual T-Day game, the White team looked to be
eating hot dogs and chips, the fare for the losers of the annual game.
But, behind quarterback Ross Jenkins, the White rallied late to win
28-27 over the Blue, earning a steak dinner in the process. Jenkins
completed 50% of his throws for 136 yards and led the White on two of
the team’s three scoring drives.